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Dear RTFH Family,
With a world that sometimes challenges us to find the light, we must seek out opportunities for joy, community, and laughter. This upcoming week provides some special events that I hope you’ll join us for.
- Friday at 7pm – We’ll be donating one of our Torahs to Kol Shira with Cantor Abby Gostein joining us to co-lead Shabbat services.
- Saturday at 6:30pm – Purim Bingo with an 80s theme – a chance to get nostalgic and have some relaxing fun among friends.
- Monday at 7pm – Purim evening means we read the Megillah of Esther with congregants sharing creative interpretations and good Purim fun.
- Sunday, March 8 – Join our Religious School for the Purim Shpiel at 11am, followed by our Purim Carnival at 12pm.
It’s a week of community and fun at RTFH. Join us!
Chag Purim Sameach,
Rabbi Mark
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Shabbat Evening Service
Friday, February 27 at 7:00pm
At this special Shabbat, we’ll be joined by Cantor Abby Gostein of Kol Shira in Austin, Texas. During services, we’ll donate one of our Torahs to their new community and share in song and prayer together. Find strength, spirituality, and community at Shabbat Services.
Services are live-streamed at rtfh.org/live and on our Youtube Channel
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The Mitzvah of Donating a Torah
With our brand-new Torah written by our congregation, we are blessed to donate one of our Torah Scrolls. On Friday, February 27, during our 7pm Shabbat evening service, we will engage in the joyous and special mitzvah of gifting a Torah to Kol Shira, a new Reform congregation in Austin, Texas.
Cantor Abby Gostein will join us to help lead services and accept their first Sefer Torah.
Please join us to celebrate this incredible moment, guided by the Religious Practices Committee.
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Gavin Esser is celebrating his Bar Mitzvah!
Saturday, February 28th at 10:30am
Mazel Tov to Gavin and his parents Pamela and Matt.
The RTFH congregation is invited to join Saturday morning services via livestream at rtfh.org/live
Gavin's Mitzvah Project
For my mitzvah project, I volunteered with and organized a fundraiser for Materials for the Arts, an organization dedicated to creative reuse and sustainability. I chose this organization because of my strong passion for recycling and reducing waste.
While volunteering at their warehouse with my mother, I helped organize and restock donated household items. In addition, I launched a fundraiser that raised over $1,200 to support their mission.
Through our time and financial contributions, Materials for the Arts can continue to provide free art supplies to public schools and offer workshops that educate the New York City community about sustainable art practices.
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WoCo and PA Bingo Party
Saturday, February 28
6:30 - 7pm Appetizers & drinks
7 - 9ish pm Games & prizes
RTFH Bingo is back, and this year we’re gonna Be Kind and Rewind back to the '80s! Enjoy prize rounds valued at $100, a 50/50 drawing, and door prizes. Rabbi Mark is back as our Bingo Caller and Jaime Kinyon is your party host. Don’t miss this fun night of pure '80s nostalgia!
Send us a photo of you in the 1980's for a fun "Guess Who?" display! Email jaime.kinyon@gmail.com!
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It’s time for Purim fun on Monday, March 2 at 7:00pm.
We need some joy in this complicated world. Let’s find inspiration from Esther and Mordecai’s story of dark times and personal bravery. Join us for our Purim Megillah reading.
Come in costume – it’s more fun!
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Celebrate Purim with an Encanto Purim on Sunday, March 8 at 11:00am.
Followed by the Purim Carnival at 12:00pm.
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Join in the warmth and unity of Purim! This year, Women's Connection invites you to perform the mitzvah of shalach manot giving by making a donation. Half of your donation will go to the Commonpoint Queens food pantry, and half to the RTFH Building Fund.
Last day to participate is March 4
Add your name to Queen Esther's Honor Roll today!
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Welcome to Temple Tots Spring!
Join us in an interactive Shabbat for
children ages 0-5 and their families.
Spring 2026 Session
Saturday, February 28th at 9:00am (Purim)
Saturday, March 28th at 9:00am (Passover)
Saturday, April 18th at 9:00am (Yom Ha-atzma-ut)
Saturday, May 16th at 10:00am (Shavuot)
Saturday, June 13th at 10:00am
Cantor Emily, Rabbi Mark and the Temple Tots Team invite you and your family to a fun and interactive Shabbat full of songs and joy.
We'll share in story time, music, and crafts!
Don't miss out on updates and programming!
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Return of Mahjong
Get you Mahj-on as we return on March 4 at 6:30pm
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Join us for our annual Community Seder
Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:30 PM
The Second night of Passover
We invite your family and friends to celebrate the Passover Story at an inspiring, engaging Seder led by
Rabbi Mark Kaiserman and Cantor Emily Wigod Pincus
Enjoy a full Passover meal and an afikomen search
Please Register by March 27
The caterer will not be able to provide food after this date.
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Join us on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm at RTFH, for a screening of TORN: The Israel-Palestine Poster War.
Featuring artists, activists, students, rabbis, and hostage families, TORN is an unflinching portrait of empathy under siege. After Hamas kidnapped 251 people from Israel on October 7, a conflict thousands of miles away erupted on New York’s walls. The film captures the emotional fallout of the “KIDNAPPED” poster campaign – a grassroots act that became a flashpoint, igniting fierce confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian New Yorkers.
Screening includes a discussion with filmmaker Nim Shapira.
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MITZVAH DAY
Sunday, March 22
9:00am - 4:00pm
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Join us for an uplifting day of kindness and community.
We’ll rise together doing hands-on activities and meaningful projects to help our neighbors in need and the planet.
Volunteer and enjoy a delicious lunch with your Temple family. Register by Thursday, March 19.
Please donate to further support our MD26 programs.
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NY Blood Center Drive
Mitzvah Day, Sunday, March 22
9:30am – 3:30pm
RTFH Garden Room
Donate blood and your life-saving gift can save up to three lives! Most everyone 16+ is eligible.
The drive is open to the public, so invite friends and family. Advanced registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome.
Schedule your appointment today (use zip code 11375) and please spread the word!
Our annual drive is in memory of Larry Francos and Michele Louis, two beloved congregants who had blood cancer.
Questions, please contact Jane Pinkett at janepinkett28@aol.com.
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Gift of Life Stem Cell
Registration Event
Mitzvah Day, Sunday, March 22
9:30am - 3:30pm
RTFH Lower Lobby
Parents and grandparents, please help us reach the young adults in your life.
Calling all 18-35 Year Olds!
Swab your cheek. You could save a life.
Stem cell transplants are lifesaving for patients with blood cancers. It takes only 5 minutes, and you could help lift someone towards healing.*
Come swab your cheek--and you could be someone's hero!
*About 90% of matches donate blood stem cells and 10% donate bone marrow. After registration, if you are a match, donating is up to you.
Any questions, please contact Jerry Strauss at strauss.jerry@gmail.com
| | Support these Mitzvah Day Projects Starting Now! | | |
Cell Phone and Accessories Collection
Donate your used or broken cell phones and accessories to raise money for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, keep e-waste out of landfills, and clear space in your home.
Support survivors, care for the planet, and declutter—it’s a win, win, win!
To be extra safe, clear the data from your phones and drop them with any accessories in the collection box in the upper lobby starting March 1 through Mitzvah Day.
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Birthday in a Bag
We’re creating gift bags to bring celebration and joy to children living at the Corona Family Residence.
Each bag includes all the essentials for a birthday party — because every child deserves to feel special on their big day.
Please help by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List and make a child’s birthday a little brighter!
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Kick Start Your Spring Cleaning!
We're collecting gently used plastic and wood toys, electronics, children's books, and more!
Learn more details about items you can donate and how to prepare them for drop off in the RTFH upper lobby now through Mitzvah Day.
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Tzedakah Opportunities
Yesod Mutual Aid Fund (Twin Cities, MN)
Donate to the Yesod Fund, organized by Reform congregation Shir Tikvah in Minneapolis, to provide mutual aid to families and individuals navigating instability and harm because of ICE in the Twin Cities.
Queens Community House
Donate to Queens Community House to support critical services and life-enriching programs that lift up our Queens neighbors and help them thrive.
| | Thank you for supporting RTFH | | | | |
